Double Dragon

"Double Dragon" is a beat-'em-up video game from 1987 that was developed by Technōs Japan and published by Taito for arcades in Asia, North America, and Europe. It is the first title in the "Double Dragon" series. Your character has a repertoire of martial arts techniques that you can perform individually or in combination using the joystick and the three action buttons (kick, jump, and punch). The techniques range from simple punches and kicks to more complex maneuvers such as hair-pulling holds and elbow strikes. When playing with another player, you can help your partner by grabbing their opponent from behind. However, caution is advised, as some opponents can do the same to the players. You start the game with a certain number of extra lives and a health bar that decreases when you take hits. If your health bar is empty or the time limit expires, you lose a life. As you play, you’ll encounter a small selection of enemy characters. Certain enemies carry melee weapons that you can knock out of their hands and then pick up to use against them. Available weapons include baseball bats, whips, throwing knives, and dynamite; you’ll also find rocks, oil drums, and crates at certain locations. The game is divided into four levels, or “missions,” consisting of a city neighborhood, a factory, the forest, and the gang’s hideout. Normally, the game ends when a single player defeats the final boss alone. However, if two players complete the game together, they must fight each other to decide who wins Marian’s affection.